Rust looking algae on sand

[ddevlin]

It has just started about last week and I don't want it to get out of hand if its bad. It looks like the sand is rusting. Small patches and reddish-brown in color. Anyone with an ID on this stuff?

 

[dave11]

sounds like diatoms - all in the course of tank maturing
dave

 

[Entropy]

brown is usually diatoms, red is usually cyano. Both are wonderful to deal with. Either are usually caused by excess nutrients in the tank.

 

[ddevlin]

Tank has been setup for about 8 months so I will do a search for Cyano. I tested PO today and it was 0.

 

[Entropy]

Is it like dust or does it stick together like slime?

 

[ddevlin]

It looks like dust. When I stir the top of the sand bed it looks like it goes away.

 

[Pandora]

ddev, no need to search far and wide There is a very long (and ongoing) thread about fighting cyano:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=725686
It'll take you a while to get through it!

 

[AquaReeferMan]

I agree with it being diatoms. Keep your water changes up, give it time, and it should cycle itself out.

 

[ddevlin]

Thanks Pandora.